20th November, 2021
Adejoke Adeleye,Abeokuta
A former member of House of Representatives, Oladipupo Adebutu, has advocated for a community based security system to tackle the insecurity problems bedeviling various parts of the country at the grassroots.
Adebutu who added that that those engaged in community policing may not necessarily to wear uniform for identification spoke to journalist during his Installation as the New Seriki of Iperuland, Ogun State.
He added that Nigerians should also endeavor to know their neighbors as part of efforts at community policing.
“Well, like I said If we build better communities, it is unlikely that people will misbehave.
“It is important we have a better community based security. If I know who your father and mother is, it is unlikely that you will misbehave.
“We must have community policing. Community policing doesn’t mean you need to wear a uniform.
“It starts with knowing who our neighbors are, communicate with them, be part of your community.
“These are the major ingredients of community policing. Now, you can ask the Moperes and other community based institutions to keep watch of their people”, he said.
Speaking on his new title Oladipupo explained that the Seriki of Iperuland is a gazetted office, and a kingmaker position.
According to him, the Seriki title used to be misconceived as a Muslim title which it is not because of the way it sounds.
He said, “It is so unfortunately there is a misconception that it is a Muslim Chieftaincy title. It is not but by name it sounds like that. It is a gazetted Chieftaincy position. In fact, it is a second ranking position in the Mopere institution. Balogun is their number one position, while the Seriki is the second position,” said Adebutu.
He added that his installation as Seriki marks the end of 40 years conflict over the chieftaincy and others in the town.
“We are lucky because this is nearly 40 years conflict that is being resolved now and we thank God the community is coming to a peaceful resolution of this.
“For 40 years or thereabout now, the then Balogun passed on and a succession battled ensued. A lot of conflicts emerged from that succession battle and that ended up tearing up the Mopere institution apart.
“The Mopere break up affected a lot of traditional institution as well. It spilled over into the Muslim community, to the festivals.
“It affected the fabric of the town and to the glory of God, they now have the first opportunity where all the various Mopere now have a unification and they agreed that they will have one Seriki, which happens to be me.
“It is therefore my obligation to hold all these institutions together so that we can have peace and prosperity in the community,” he explained
Adebutu promised to use his position to influence the behaviour of the people to bring peace and unity .